Kitchener Rangers COO Joe Birch named 2026 David Branch Leader of the Year
Muskoka Lakes, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) announced today that Kitchener Rangers Chief Operating Officer (COO) Joe Birch is the recipient of the 2026 David Branch Leader of the Year Award.
Birch was presented with the award at the OHL’s Champions Reception, held in conjunction with the League’s Annual General Meeting this week in Muskoka Lakes.
The David Branch Leader of the Year Award was established in recognition of the 45 years of service and dedication to the OHL by former Commissioner David Branch, who passed away this past January. A continuation of what was formerly known as the OHL Executive of the Year Award, the honour is presented annually to an OHL executive who displays the leadership qualities, hard work, commitment and dedication that Branch demonstrated in his role, making countless contributions to the OHL, the sport of hockey and to the athletes that make it so special.
“Joe Birch has set a standard for leadership that reaches every corner of the Kitchener Rangers organization,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “This past season the Rangers were champions on the ice as J. Ross Robertson Cup and Memorial Cup winners, and were every bit as impressive off it as leaders in business operations and community involvement. Success in every facet of an organization does not happen by accident — it reflects the vision, the work ethic and the care for people that Joe brings each and every day. He is an outstanding representative of our League and a most deserving recipient of an award that carries David Branch’s name.”
“I am incredibly honoured and humbled to receive the David Branch Leadership Award,” said Birch. “Leadership is never about one person, and I view this recognition as a reflection of the outstanding people I have the privilege of working alongside every day. I’m incredibly grateful to our staff, our team, and everyone within the Kitchener Rangers organization for their commitment, passion, and belief in what we are building together. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by great people who challenge and inspire me, and I’m proud to share this recognition with all of them.”
Birch helped guide the Rangers to a J. Ross Robertson Cup championship this past season along with the third Memorial Cup title in franchise history. Kitchener finished the OHL Playoffs with a 16-2 record before going a perfect 4-0 at the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C.
Under his leadership, the Rangers were also winners of the OHL Community Involvement Award in recognition of an extraordinary year of fundraising and community impact. The club raised nearly $2 million while setting an OHL record with a 50/50 jackpot approaching $150,000, allowing the organization to provide community impact grants to 16 local organizations and award 19 scholarships to graduating high school students.
The Rangers surpassed their own ambitious merchandising benchmark in retail sales during the regular season, marking significant financial growth alongside increased customer engagement and brand strength. The club also launched its Level of Legacy Program, with inductions for Brian Bellows and Peter DeBoer, and continued its excellence in content creation and social media performance, telling the story of one of the League’s most prestigious franchises in an enthusiastic and engaging way.
A native of Corunna, Ont., Birch played two OHL seasons with Kitchener and London from 1995-97 before spending four years with the Western University men’s hockey program. He later worked as a player agent and spent several years in the OHL league office as Vice President of Development prior to being named COO of the Rangers ahead of the 2020-21 season.
Birch becomes just the second member of the Kitchener Rangers organization to be recognized with the honour, joining two-time recipient Steve Bienkowski (2002-03 and 2011-12).
